Antonio Maluf, construções de uma equação (Constructions of an equation)

The exhibition entitled “Antonio Maluf: Constructions of an Equation,” is a retrospective of the different phases in the artist’s oeuvre from the 1950s to the year 2000, including his studies in graphic design, tapestries, drawings and paintings.

Press Release

Known for his geometric, rigorously calculated work, Maluf’s solo show counts on 120 carefully selectedworks by Fabio Magalhães, former director of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo. One of the show’s highlights is the artist’s first poster, entitled: Equação dos Desenvolvimentos [Equation of Developments], which earned him first place at the 1st Bienal Internacional de São Paulo in 1951. According to the curator, Maluf was able to express in his work the most authentic relationship between poetry and mathematics. Considered an intellectual, Maluf owned the complete Brasiliana collection. He was a muralist during the 1950s and 60s, alongside architects like Fábio Penteado and Vilanova Artigas. A result of this phase is the tile panel located at Vila Normanda, a building next to the famous Copan, in the center of São Paulo. He was an important figure in the city’s art history, participating actively in the circuit, dedicating hours as head of Galeria Seta and as an artist, always in a very discreet fashion. Although he was keen on the movements that flourished during his time, he chose a solitary career, in the privacy of his studio. An active art dealer, he was primarily engaged in the sale of naïve works and in representing artists like Grassmann, Caito and Macaparana. He was an intermediary in the sale of Abaporu, the famous painting by Tarsila do Amaral, to Brazilian collector Raul Forbes. A collector of mainly Brazilian art, the artist organized folk art auctions and introduced many artists from northern Brazil to the São Paulo capital. The exhibition also includes works by Maluf that have never been exhibited outside of the family’s personal collection. Paintings, including some unfinished, from the 1950s up to the last years of his life.